Say it like this
- We're facing some headwinds this quarter.
- Currency changes were a headwind for revenue.
- AI adoption is a big tailwind for us.
Use it at work
Hearing it from leaders
- We faced headwinds this quarter.
- Macroeconomic headwinds slowed new deals.
Talking about good conditions
- AI demand is a strong tailwind.
- We have tailwinds in the enterprise market.
Asking what it means
- What do these headwinds mean for our team's roadmap?
- Will the headwinds affect hiring?
Don't say this
Use "a headwind" for one, "headwinds" for several.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| headwinds | conditions slowing the business | leaders, finance | all-hands and earnings |
| tailwinds | conditions helping the business | leaders, finance | growth stories |
| blocker | something stopping your task | engineering teams | standups and tickets |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Sales are slower because of the economy. How would a leader say this?
2. Higher interest rates were a _______ for our customers' budgets.
3. Which sentence uses headwinds or tailwinds correctly?
4. Rewrite in plain English: 'We are navigating significant headwinds.'
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"We're facing some headwinds this quarter."
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More about headwinds
Real examples(3)
- in an all-hands
"Despite economic headwinds, we grew revenue by 12%."
- in an earnings call
"The strong dollar created a two-point headwind to growth."
- in a strategy discussion
"Remote work is a tailwind for our collaboration tools."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Headwinds can hide hard news. If it is unclear what it means for you, ask what changes.
- ✕Headwinds helped our sales.✓Tailwinds helped our sales.
Headwinds hurt; tailwinds help.
- ✕My code has headwinds.✓My code has some issues.
Headwinds is for business conditions, not small technical problems.
Other forms(2)
- tailwinds opposite
"Lower interest rates are a tailwind."
- a headwind singular
"Pricing pressure is a headwind."
Often used with(3)
- face headwinds · deal with difficult conditions
- macroeconomic headwinds · the economy making things harder
- strong tailwind · conditions that help a lot
Similar words(3)
- challenges · plain English
- obstacles · more concrete
- pressure · e.g. pricing pressure
Opposites(3)
- tailwinds
- momentum
- boost
Questions(4)
- What does headwinds mean in business?
- Conditions that make growth or results harder, like a weak economy, higher costs or new competitors.
- What are tailwinds?
- The opposite: conditions that help the business, like rising demand or lower costs.
- Why do leaders say headwinds?
- It describes problems caused by outside conditions, and often softens bad news.
- Is it headwind or headwinds?
- "A headwind" for one factor, "headwinds" for several or in general.
